2013 Steelers Mock Draft Version 4.0 – Post Pre Draft Visits

Here we go with version 4.0 of my Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft for the upcoming 2013 NFL draft. I didn\’t bore you with a lot of strengths and weaknesses of the players this time around, but certainly will in my final mock draft that will be out next Wednesday. This is pretty much a version to let you know where my head is at with one week to go.

You will notice that there is no quarterback and tight end in this draft, and I do not think that will change in a week. My final mock will include 9 additional players that I considered in each and every round with the goal being to have a list of around 70-80 players to hit all 8 picks with.

************** You know the drill. If you are going to comment in this post please add value to the discussion. The rounds here are not important and you are not helping the discussion exercise by saying “Player X” will not last that long or is being drafted too soon. Please add what you like and dislike about a certain player and feel free to add your own mock as well. Remember, the discussion should be centered around the players, not necessarily the rounds they are drafted. Mock drafts are never perfect, but the value of them is in the discussion about the players. If I feel you are not adding value with your comments I will simply delete them. Go elsewhere if you want to be a nuisance. **************

No video or stats are included in this mock, but these will be included in the final one next week.

Round 1 – Jonathan Cooper – North Carolina

– As I have pointed out several times over the offseason, the Steelers have serious depth issues currently on their offensive line that have yet to be filled. As I have also pointed it, I feel there is a good chance that Cooper could still be on the board when the Steelers pick 17th overall, as it has been 30 years since two “true” guards have been drafted in the first 16 picks of a first round. Not only does this fit the best player available theory, but it also fits a need as Cooper can play all three interior line positions and he might even be able to push Ramon Foster for the starting left guard spot. I still have a week to go to change my mind, but I have been pretty firm on this for a while now.

40

20

10

Bench

5.06

2.89

1.72

35

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

27

9\’0″

4.84

7.78

Round 2 – WR Justin Hunter – Tennessee

– The Steelers certainly did have a large contingency at the Tennessee pro day. Hunter is young, big, speedy and productive. If not for the drops, and limited production due to a knee injury in 2011, he very well be getting consideration as a first round selection. The Steelers can certainly double dip at the wide receiver position in this draft, but they have to address the position in the first three rounds regardless. Hunter would make a great first student for new wide receivers coach Richard Mann. If I knew DeAndre Hopkins or Stedman Bailey could fall this far, they would be the choice, but I think both very well could be off the board by the time this pick rolls around.

40

20

10

Bench

4.36

2.52

1.56

–

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

39.5

11\’4″

4.33

–

Round 3 – OLB Corey Lemonier – Auburn

– This is really the point of the draft where I struggle the most. Do the Steelers want an inside or an outside linebacker here if they were to go guard and wide receiver in rounds one and two. Being as they are a bit thinner outside than they are inside, I will add Lemonier back to my mock once again. Like all outside linebackers with the Steelers, Lemonier will first earn his stripes on special teams and will likely need at least a year and a half of grooming to learn the system. If Jamie Collins were still on the board here, he would be the pick instead.

40

20

10

Bench

4.56

2.59

1.56

27

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

33

9\’11”

4.4

7.14

Round 4 – RB Christine Michael – Texas A&M

– Questions about his character exist, but he will fit well in both a zone and man blocking scheme that the Steelers should use plenty of next season. He will need to work on his pass protection and receiving skills, but there shouldn\’t be any doubts that he can at least contribute early as a two down back. The Steelers thought enough of him to send running backs coach Kirby Wilson to his pro day and they also brought him in for a pre draft visit. The good thing about him is that he doesn\’t have a lot of mileage on him. I consider him a high risk, high reward player.

40

20

10

Bench

4.43

2.51

1.49

27

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

43

10\’5″

4.02

6.69

Round 5 – SS Shamarko Thomas – Syracuse

– Teams are likely to shy away from Thomas because of his size and the fact that he is only going to fit certain systems. Luckily, the Steelers system, which includes a lot of cover-3 looks with a safety in the box, fits Thomas perfectly. He hits like a linebacker and covers a lot of ground from sideline to sideline. He is very slippery, instinctive and a solid character kid. I am not going to dare compare Thomas to Troy Polamalu, but you can see a few similarities. Remember, it took Polamalu a little time to adjust to the next level and he was a first round draft pick that the Steelers traded up for. The Steelers brought Thomas in for a pre draft visit, so they certainly have interest in him. Can they get him this late. I like the chances.

40

20

10

Bench

4.37

2.49

1.52

28

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

40.5

11\’1″

4.26

–

Round 6 – DE Joe Kruger – Utah

– According to the list of pre draft visits that we have, the Steelers really haven\’t brought in any true 3-4 five technique prospects and that certainly is concerning considering the depth on the roster. Kruger needs development, but he certainly fits what the Steelers look for at the position. He is perhaps two years away from starting, but the bloodline and college tape of him certainly makes him an intriguing prospect. The buzz has picked up on him since I first mentioned him a while ago, so there is a good chance that he might not fall this far as a result. We shall see.

40

20

10

Bench

4.81

2.66

1.66

24

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

34

9\’9″

4.46

7.17

Round 6 – CB Will Davis – Utah St.

– Are the Steelers really intending to draft a cornerback? Judging by the amount that they have had in for pre draft visits, it certainly seems that way. I will go ahead and take the bait, but would be surprised if one was drafted in the first five rounds. Davis fits the mold of a later round cornerback that is very raw. This is perfect for defensive backs coach Carnell Lake. Davis\’ lack of elite length makes him a candidate long-term to play in the slot at the nickel position, but he can play outside in a pinch. He would be a special teams player assuming he made the team.

40

20

10

Bench

4.43

2.51

1.5

16

Vertical

Broad

Shuttle

Cone

35.5

10\’7″

4.02

6.52

Round 7 – ILB Michael Mauti – Penn St.

– I can\’t help but to keep Mauti in my mock. This kid is football player and if he can overcome his latest knee injury, he could potentially be the future BUCK linebacker starting as early as 2014. Can the Steelers get him after the draft as an undrafted free agent? Sure, there is a chance, but several teams will certainly be after him. Why risk it if he is still on the board in the seventh round? We shall see if I change my mind in a week on him here.

Love it. Love the Cooper pick especially since you feel Vacarro will be gone. Was very surprised to see Hunter given the drops, but you know more than me. I really like John Simon too, if Lemonier isn’t their in the third.

$19122620

I would be very happy if the draft turned out this way. I like Cooper (I believe our line could have the potential to be great), and Hunter (I like too even though there are some guys I like better at the WR position, however, they may or may not be available when we pick), I like C. Michael (I think his overall talent level is as good as any RB in this years draft), S. Thomas (I like his style of play a lot. I think Carnell could make him a successful player), and M. Mauti (great late round pick). The other picks make sense too.

I liked the 3.0 mock a little better because it covered the Safety need a couple rounds sooner. I do really like S Thomas though and that would be the steal of the year in the 5th. I also agree on using one of the last picks on Mauti. Even if we pup him and let him continue to heal, he would sure look nice in a Steelers uniform.

Do you think LeVeon Bell would be there in the third or would they have to take him at two if they really wasn’t him? Then they could go with Terrance Williams in the third and John Simon in the fourth.

Clint Martin

Wow Best draft ever!! Colbert just got fired.

JC

Justin Hunter is too risky of a pick. Yes, he looks the part of a tall, fast NFL WR, but he’s struggled ever since tearing his ACL. I also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of drafting a NT. Even if McClendon stays in Pitt, I not sure we can depend on him for a full season and Ta’amu and Fangupo cannot be trusted as suitable back ups. This draft class is loaded at the DT position and we’d have to strongly consider guys like Jesse Williams, Jonathan Hankins, or Brian Williams of they fell into our laps.

steeltown

Cooper, Hunter and Shamarko Thomas… and then Kruger and Will Davis in the 6th… very nice

steeltown

I know we’re not supposed to talk about Rd projections, but I have a feeling if they want Shamarko Thomas, they’ll have to grab him well before the 5th Rd

SteelersDepot

If 73 catches for nearly 1,100 yards in the SEC is struggling, sign me up for that.

harding36

I don’t love Cooper in the first. I like the player fine, but looking long term, drafting Cooper would mean that Pouncey, DeCastro and Cooper would all come up for second contracts within around 3 years of each other. Assuming that each of those guys is what we believe them to be, I don’t think the cap would reasonably permit the Steelers to extend 3 interior lineman within such a short time frame. Question: Does any other team have 3 first rounders at Center and both Guard spots? I’m not really sure, but nothing jumps to mind. It just seems to me like drafting Cooper conceds that one of your first round lineman will be playing under his second contract with another team. That bothers me.

I like Justin Hunter, but I’m not as high on him as I used to be. While he has ideal size and speed, he’s not great after contact when you watch his highlights. Seems like the first guy to lay a hand on him gets the tackle. More and more, I value receivers who can break tackles and escape pressure. So, while I wouldn’t mind the selection, I would prefer Bailey, Hopkins, Wheaton, or even perhaps Woods, Dobson, or Swope.

As for RB, I like Jonathan Franklin the best right now. (Another guy who the Steelers brought in for a pre-draft visit.) He has great field vision, he keeps the wheels turning, and is great at breaking through pressure for extra yards. Best of all, he’s an experienced receiving back with great hands…so he can be a threat in multiple ways.

Derek

I like it but history shows that we will go Defense in the first this year. Each year since Tomlin was hired they alternate O & D each year. DeCastro last year so that means Defensive pick this year. I would be happy if we took Cooper however. That allows Foster to be the backup for 4 positions, and really IMO that is what he is, a backup.

Limas Sweed 2.0 – He’s soft, the Steelers need a WR willing to block and make catches across the middle.

reg38

Patterson is a second rounder.

disqus_wdLdx4W76r

Nice..I like Hunter at WR..would rather have Bailey. or Allen but I like Hunters size.I’m really having a issue at them taking another O-Linemen #1 especially if its just for depth. Like the safety pick too or Duke Williams from Nevada @blkandgold4Life

Nolrog

Right you are. No chance the Steelers take another lineman in the first. It will be an offensive skill guy (Eifert, Patterson) or a defensive play maker (Jordan, Jones).

Round 3 is tough. Personally, I like the way the roster looks at OLB a lot better than ILB. The Steelers have to go into this draft with the assumption that Spence is done. The depth at ILB is horrible, and waiting just increases the chances of drafting another ILB who will only ever be good enough to play special teams.

I would take a guy like Sio Moore or the Rutgers LB if either were available in round 3.

Call me crazy but with so much hype about Austin, Patterson, Bailey and Hopkins I could see Keenan Allen falling to Pit’s second rounder. Especially with a little controversy on him and a possible whoops on a drug test and retesting of an ankle. Take him if he falls there?

Ok Dave, feedback time, and forgive me for any “non-value added” comments I may make about rounds… 1. Cooper – as I’ve said all along, one of the top overall players in the draft. Slim chance he’s there @17 but if he is I’d take him in a heartbeat. 2. Hunter – like his length and vertical, combine that with his speed (although he’s more of a low 4.4 guy than 4.36 but still fast) and you have a potential stud. I worry about his tendency to lose concentration at times and drops but would still be solid @48. Good chance he’s gone by then though. 3. Lemonier – he is better value here than taking Jarvis Jones @ 17. I’m still not sold that Steelers need to go OLB in first two days to get one that can fit their system and be productive in time. 4. Michael – don’t like character issue guys so don’t like this pick at all. With Ta’amu, Rainey, and even Adams they took three issue guys last year. Don’t like the trend and 2 of the three acted out as you might expect. I’d take Zac Stacy over Michael in the 4th anyday. 5. Thomas – as I’ve said before, I like him a lot for what Steelers do at SS. He can learn behind Troy for a year or two and has the athletic ability to do some of those things. Big problem if you are hoping he falls to 5th…maybe 4th but realistically @79 is where they probably need to take him. 6a. Krueger – not as high on him as you are and he needs to immediately put on 20-25 lbs to get into the rotation and be effective. In 6th round I don’t mind the pick though 6b. Davis – good bet that Steelers draft some of the pre-draft visit guys and Davis fits as a late round CB. 7. Mauti – definitely a feel good story, but l like him better as a UDFA. However, if they haven’t picked ILB yet and he’s still there…worth grabbing him in 7th.

I think there is. If certain guys are there @17 that some of the teams drafting later covet, then trading down is the right value play.

Matthew Stanko

Round 1: Tavon Austin WR/RB WVU

Round 2: Larry Warford G Kentucky

Round 3: Da’Rick Rogers WR Tenn Tech

Round 4: Brandon Jenkins OLB FSU

Round 5: Michael Ford RB LSU

Round 6: Vince Williams ILB FSU

Round 6:Khalid Wooten, CB/S Nevada

Round 7: Rontez Miles S Cal Pa

kev4heels

again, this is a dream draft.

mokhkw

I’m guessing a lot…….

Caesar

I don’t like this at all. OLine early is crazy, too much depletion of talent at other areas over the last few years while the line has been focused on early in the draft. And three interior lineman coming up for big second contracts around the same time is a bad plan. Here is my IDEAL draft, with this caveat. I am cheating a bit because in my IDEAL realm, we get to trade down in the first round. There are so many acute needs this year, more picks would be huge, and I think there are a couple realistic trade scenarios: 1) ATL is already rumored to want to move up. Eifert? Second tier pass rusher or CB? Either way, 17 looks like prime real estate for them. 2) A safety-needy team with picks to work with-SF, StL, CIN-may want to jump ahead of Dallas to grab Vaccaro if he falls to 17. 3) Maybe 17 is where teams start trying to trade in to get a QB like Nassib, as most people assume is going to happen. So I am basing this on the assumption that they get at least one extra pick in round 2 or 3. Because I am being so need focused, in a couple spots I am noting a couple names in order or preference, thinking whoever is available for that position. I am arranging it primarily by where I think value lies with what’s available at each position.

This has got the be the hardest year in recent memory for setting out Mock Drafts for the Steelers. So many needs we would like to fill with starters or heavy contributors in the first 3 rounds but we have only 3 picks in the Top 100 Players and about 6 positions which match that description.

Will the Steelers go Offense in the first 3 rounds ( G, WR, RB maybe even TE) or start to restack an aging D which is likely to lose 6 starters in the next year or so (S, ILB, CB, DE, NT)?

History seems to indicate that they’ll focus on the D which has always been the priority under Noll & Cowher and with Tomlin’s D background, I think that will continue, even if it means that the D picks likely won’t start in 2013. That will mean a lot of unhappy Steelers fans but that’s just how they do things & you can’t argue with the long term results vs the short term fan appeasement that other teams seem to follow.

TheBlitz

I agree with your assessment. I hope he is not the pick. He looks a lot like a project to me. I read somewhere that he was used at time as a halfback. Really !?

LOL @ U 2. He’ll most likely be drafted in the top 10, and at worst he’ll fall to the Rams right ahead of us. And, yes, they used him as a WR, HB, PR and KR. He scored 10x and at least once at every position. You probably haven’t even scored once with a woman.

Not the greatest picks, but I’d be happy going offense with our top 4 picks.

mokhkw

A lot of media experts seem to think that if Patterson came out any other year he would be a 2nd or 3rd RD Pick & Austin would be a 2nd.

On Path To The Draft a week ago, they asked Charley Casserly who he would prefer to have between Patterson, Austin and Emmanuel Sanders. He choose Sanders “a better football player”. Ted Sunquist, another former NFL GM, nodded in approval.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that Patterson won’t be a 1st Rd selection. His stock, like Austins, has been pushed up the boards like Geno Smith has at QB. You don’t want to use a 1st on them but with a lack of 1st Rd talent the 2nd & 3rd Rders are getting pushed up the boards at positions of need.

I think he’ll go late 1st or early 2nd and not to the Steelers at No.17. This guy isn’t in the same class as Jones, Green, Crabtree, Blackmon etc.

DoctorNoah

Does anyone out there honestly think Nuke Hopkins, Keenan Allen or Stedman Bailey are going to be available when we pick in Round 2???

Jollyrob68

Can’t complain, awesome draft. I wasn’t sure if they’d wait that long to sign a Safety. Great Mock.

Christine Michael would be great, but I don’t see him making it to the 4th round. Physical freak running backs with a pedigree tend to get taken higher than their college production would indicate. See: Ben Tate, Montario Hardesty, Bryce Brown.

Would rather take Jawan Jamison in the fifth round as a RB other than that i’d love this draft

Kevin Gobleck

I think i would rather have Giovanni Bernard there in round 2 over J. Franklin

TheBlitz

Can’t agree more!

The lack of pure talent at the WR position (any positions for that matter) is pushing this guy up draft boards. How can a guy who is not considered by many experts a good route runner be considered 1st or 2nd best WR in this class with only 1 good year under is belt and plenty of unknown!?

TheBlitz

I’m glad you are not the GM

hergieburbur

He also was out played at WR by Jordan Hunter, and without the game at Troy, his numbers are far from impressive. He is a tremendous athlete, but a project. The Steelers don’t go for those types of WRs, since they rarely keep them more than 4 years. Especially not in years like this where we have a ton of needs.

hergieburbur

Sorry, but in most years, he is.

hergieburbur

Personally, I would prefer Hunter in the 2nd to Patterson in the first.

hergieburbur

I like this one better than the older ones.

A friend put this one up the other day, and I really like the way it addresses our needs. It would also work with Cooper in the first.

You misunderstand me, I was saying that as a plus on Hunter, not a negative on Patterson. As in, so many people are high on Patterson’s potential, but I would rather have Hunter at a lower spot.

hergieburbur

You could have stopped at we were really spoiled by Hines Ward regarding WRs. 🙂

StarSpangledSteeler

1.17 – Tyler Eifert (TE) (Notre Dame)

2.17 – Sio Moore (ILB) (U Conn)

3.17 – Corey Lemonier (OLB) (Auburn)

4.17 – Shawn Williams (SS) (UGA)

5.17 – Rodney Smith (WR) (FSU)

6.17 – Dennis Johnson (RB) (Arkansas)

6.38 – JC Tretter (OL) (Cornell)

7.17 – Rontez Miles (FS) (Cal – PA)

hergieburbur

I think you have Bailey and Shark Thomas too high, but there are a lot of good possibilities in there.

hergieburbur

Yeah, I like Bell, but not alongside Dwyer and Redman. Too many guys with similar builds/styles. If they pulled Redman’s tender I would be all over Bell though.

StrengthOfVictory

Gotcha. My mistake. I might prefer Bailey in the third to Hunter in the second, while we’re talking rounds. But I do hope they double-dip with a WR class this deep, whichever way they go.

hergieburbur

Me too probably, especially if it meant we got a guy like Phillip Thomas at S in the 2nd. I think he is the perfect fit for our defense.

hergieburbur

Agreed, I can’t remember a draft being so murky, especially in the first.

hergieburbur

Yeah, if we are going to go for the “safe” pick, I think I would prefer Eifert to Cooper.

grw1960

Dave, It is a very posssible mock draft. You know better than most how hard this up coming steelers draft is to get a decent projection on. I think all the players you have listed are possibilities, though the round selected may change on a few of them. It is so hard to tell , but I could see Lemonier and Michaels switching spots. As you well know it could depend on when a run starts on a certain position. Which can cause some players to go earlier or later than projected. Overall it is a quite possible mock.

hergieburbur

Kiper/Mcshay, in their Joint mock, have Cooper going at 6 to Cleveland. Reminds me of what I have so little faith in those two.

Clint Martin

He has low intelligence and did poorly at interviews. Have at it Bro Steelers won’t you must have a mancrush!!

With the number of high picks Colbert has spent on OLineman in recent yrs, I really dont see him using this yrs first round pick on another. Im more prone to think they will go either pass rushing OLB, SS, or WR in the first. Even though they resigned Sanders, it may only be for 2013. Thus, if Tayvon Austins on the board, theyd be foolish not to take him. Even still, I dont see how they dont get a natural pass rusher in the first. A team that prides itself on defense, for the first time in 40yrs, is lacking in that area badly. Without a sack artist opposite Woodley, the Steeler CBs are exposed for their mediocrity. Therefore, I still see Colbert gambling on Jarvis Jones.

I agree with Collins, but not until the 3rd. I think theyll hope for Eddie Lacy to fall to them in the 2nd, or grab Johnathan Banks, or LeVeon Bell. Regardless, I see them going RB in the 2nd. Collins is a projected 3rd-4th rder anyway. But I do like him. Quick to the QB. But be aware of skewed stats from playing in the Big Least.

steeltown

Very true.. though he is very intriguing with his versatility, if you take away one phenomenal game against Troy, he had approx 560rec. yds on the season and failed to amass 100yds in any other game the rest of the year

If your Franchise QB has a 2-4 year window left and the new O-line Coach and OC scheme are shifting more emphasis to a zone block attack, would you not want an interior guy that can get it done right now as opposed to a pick you will not even be able to get the ball to without proper protection in the first place?

hergieburbur

Huge upside, big risk. To me that is what the Steelers usually look at in 4-7, not 1.

RW

In what way at all is ILB a more secure position than OLB? At least Carter has been in the system. Who is behind Foote and Timmons?

LucasY59

I think Bailey will be there (maybe even in the 3rd) Hopkins and Allen not so much, if either make it to the Steelers pick in the 2nd it will be like last year when Adams slid and they get to take a player they were thinking of taking in the 1st

LucasY59

he can keep it for 3 yrs now

LucasY59

I am good with the Cooper pick, mainly because he is probably the best player that could be available at 17, he’s a very safe pick (no reaching), should play this season, solidifies the O-line for (what should be) a long time, the O-line would become the strength of the offense, this makes the rest of the offense better, especially Ben, if Ben is better the receivers are better, if the passing game is doing well the running game will improve (it has to get better anyway since the line opening the running lanes will be better)

the 1st rd WR’s are all reaches so I hope they don’t take one until rd 3 or later (maybe the 2nd if a WR slides) Eifert is the other Offensive player I think they should take. It should be the Defense’s turn for a 1st, but the talent is not there this draft, maybe Jones, but he is too big a risk. Safety is the other D position that could be a 1st rd pick, but also is a reach (with the depth this year they can get a Safety later)

I also like Hunter, but I would suggest they take Zach Ertz (if he is there, and they don’t take Eifert in the 1st) until the combine many thought Ertz may be better than Eifert. Eifert had a great combine and that pushed him into the 1st, Ertz’s performance on the field was very good (comparable to Eifert) lots of clutch catches and being the main receiving threat on the team. Ertz didn’t have the great measurable’s like Eifert, but is still a great TE talent, definitely worth a 2nd.

not a big fan of Lemonier, there are many WR’s that could be available in the 3rd (Bailey, Swope, Patton, maybe D Rogers) and if they haven’t taken one in the 1st (hopefully not) or 2nd, WR would be a good pick, Safety is also a position that should have good talent available in the 3rd (Philip or Shamarko Thomas, McDonald, Rambo, Jefferson) a RB may also have some good runners available, Bell, Ellington, Franklin, or Taylor)

even less of a fan of Michael, I would rather have the RB’s I already listed or Lattimore, Knile Davis, Zac Stacy (ran well against very good teams in the SEC!) or Barner

I think Thomas is a great pick (but could be taken in the 3rd, very surprised if he makes it past the 4th) It is totally a guess after the 4th rd as to which players will still be available, and would be happy with all of Dave’s later picks

JC

I agree with David Todd’s opinion on the podcast that it would be an ideal situation to trade down with Atlanta to number 30 and accumulate more picks. Apparently Atlanta is targeting a CB or DE and want to trade up. If they traded up 13 spots, my guess is they’d have to give us a 2nd, 4th, and possibly 6th round pick.

Doubt it’ll happen, but the Steelers should consider the trade down option if they find a partner willing to trade up.

Shannon Stephenson

The Shaggy breakdown: Cooper is the safest pick for us in this draft. should be a Pro Bowler many times. I do not like the Hunter pick at all. He has suspect hands plus for a bigger WR does mot have the muscle mass u would like to see I am ok with the Lemonier pick although to me. He is athletic but plays with poor technique Michael is a awful pick. He is spoiled and doesn’t listen to instruction. After the Rainey thing at HB not sure why we want to revisit that with a guy with even greater issues han Rainey had Love the Thomas pick but there is no way he is here…I have him going in the 2nd! Both Krueger and Mauti are good solid picks and have potential to be starters. Not a big fan of this draft and would be unhappy if this were the results.

Shannon Stephenson

I will not give my final mock till the day before but here is my feelings on what I would like. #1 Cooper OG UNC: He will be a monster for years. Not the spot that needs big filling #2 Minter ILB LSU: I like Greene a lot but Minter is safe and will be a good solid player for years #3 Swearinger FS S.Car: A hard hitter that will bring the fear Clark has for years #4 Bailey WR WVU: Is a Red zone guy we need badly.May not be here. Boyce would be the choice then #5 Sims TE Mich St: Underachiever with 1st round talent. Began to show glimpses this year till he became injured. #6 McGee OLB Ariz St: Small in stature(like Harrison) but is fast, strong and instinctive. #6 Allen P Louisiana Tech: SURPRISE! We lost a lot of field position last year with poor punting. Allen is a beast that can help us gain field positon #7 Thompson HB FSU: He is a very fast change of pace guy. Not a lot of buzz because he is injured but he is a dynamic player when healthy.

Love Rontez Miles, people need to look this guy up, the 5+ minute game film and 11+ minute highlight film, are tremendous, and he’s “in our own back yard!” We can’t let him slip by us. Fundamentally sound, has good hands, a punishing and consistent tackler, and we have Lake to coach him up! I really hope we draft him!!! I also think we could double dip at safety, in which case I would think Shamarko Thomas would be a good fit for us as well, but we’d have to get him earlier because he has more exposure than Miles and so other teams probably have some interest in Thomas. Over all, I like this mock draft!

GoSteelerz

Love Rontez Miles, see comment above. 😀

David Edward

Steelers pick @ 17 is worth 950 pts. So ATL would have to give their pick @ 30 @ 60 and @ 163 to get that point value. So a 2nd and a 5th.

David Edward

Odds are that 4-5 of the Steelers draft picks will come from their list of pre draft visits. I’ll offer up a mock here that uses 6 of their visits and gives you a realistic view of where those guys might go… 1. TE T.Eifert (likely will be BAA) 2. OLB J.Collins (iffy if he lasts to 48) 3. S S. Thomas (good fit for SS) 4. WR J. Boyce (could be King here too) 5. RB Kerwin Williams (Rainey replacement) 6a. CB W. Davis (Lake can groom him) 6b. ILB V. Williams (could form a FSU tadem with Timmons in a year or two) 7. G Nic Embernate (7th round is almost always someone who visited)

Carlos Emmons

It’s amazing how two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different. I see the very cheap contract of a dependable and productive Ramon Foster and jump for joy that we don’t have a need at that position and thank the heavens for an affordable contract of a starter to offset all of the massive deals we have chewing up the cap. Amazingly, where I see stability, this mock sees an opportunity to invest extremely significant resoures (a very rare top 20 pick for the steelers) to uproot the solid production and economics miracle of Ramon Foster’s contract. Depth?? Depth can be addressed in rounds 4 and higher. The 17th overall pick is not for depth.

Also, I cannot buy the argument that Foster is not a fit in the O-line scheme. You don’t re-sign a guy if he is not a fit.

Cooper at first. You like him better that Fluker (Ala) or do you think Fluker will be gone by the time Pitt picks? Sounds like a good solid draft

My guess: RD Pick # (1) 17-17Kenny Vaccaro- S Texas-6’0″ 214-4.59 40,

Vaccaro can play free or strong safety that is a big, physical, aggressive strong safety. Quick to support in the run and also has the range for coverage. Finished third in tackles for the Longhorns with 82 and was active is disrupting the passing game totally eight pass break-ups and seven quarterback hurries.

(2)-16-48-Justin Hunter WR Tennessee-6’4″ 196, 4.36 40.

Hunter began last season on a tear with 16 catches for 302 yards and two touchdowns before tearing his ACL in the third game of the season versus Florida. Freakishly athletic, Hunter is a world class long jumper/high jumper with great speed for his 6’4 and 205-pound frame. Flashes all the ability and the hovering question that will follow him into this season will be – How will his knee hold up? If Hunter can stay healthy he possesses the talent to be the first receiver taken in the up coming 2013 NFL Draft.